Means for attaching slabs and tiles on building structures

ABSTRACT

A method for attaching slabs or tiles of ceramic material on a building structure in which on lines on the building structure which are to be overlain by adjacent edges of tiles or slabs anchoring strips are attached which are of T-section. These anchoring strips have jaws or cheek pieces adapted to receive holding strips, also of T-section, which when fitted in the anchoring strips overlap adjacent edges of the tiles or slabs and hold them in place.

United States Patent [151 3,694,981 Cremer et al. [4 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [54]MEANS FOR ATTACHING SLABS AND 2,447,694 1948 Finch ..52/285 TILES ONBUILDING STRUCTURES 2,841,255 1958 Kemp ..52/395 Inventors: Cremer,junkersdorf; Mcchesney hi K g, f Downes Germany 3,292,328 1966 Lewis etal ..52/481 3,420,032 1] 1969 Felt ..52/731 [73] Asslgnee: Fetok GmbH,Chur, Switzerland [22] Filed: y 27 1970 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS649,904 1962 Canada ..52/235 [21] Appl' 29,597 1958 Finland ..52/3911,255,948 1961 France ..52/235 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data462,070 1937 Great Britain ..52/731 May 28, 1969 Germany ..P 19 27 195.5Primary Exaniiner Fmnk L- Abbott 52 US. Cl. ..52/235, 52/384, 52/391,Ams'am W 52/395 52/4 9 Attorney-Irving M. Werner [51] Int. Cl. ..E04f13/08 581 Field of Search ..52/268, 285, 484, 489, 391, [571 ABSTRACT52/395 3 5 A method .for attaching slabs or tiles of ceramic material ona building structure in which on lines on the building structure whichare to be overlain by ad- [56] References cued jacent edges of tiles orslabs anchoring strips are at- UNITED STATES PATENTS tached which are ofT-section. These anchoring strips have jaws or check pieces adapted toreceive holding 1,772,417 1930 Ellmwood 52/502 Strips, also of Tsection,which When fitted i the 1,937,843 1933 Randall ..52/481 anchoring Stripsoverlap adjacent edges of the tiles or ls-lteeren ft Slabs and hold themin place om e a 2,066,205 1936 Keating ..52/489 2 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures MEANS FOR ATTACHING SLABS AND TILES ON BUILDING STRUCTURES FIELDTO WHICH INVENTION RELATES The present invention relates to theattachment of ceramic tiles and more particularly large ceramicsurfacing slabs to a building structure. Preferably an intermediatespace or air space is left between the rear side of the slab or tile andthe building structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the invention is to provide meansfor providing an attachment of slabs or tiles which makes it possible toreplace the slabs or tiles at any time if they should be destroyed ordamaged.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for attachingslabs or tiles which meets all requirements as regards a slab or tilefacade which has a ventilation space between it and the rest of thebuilding and may, if required, be made air-tight.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an attachmentmeans which provides for sealing the joints between the tile or slabswithout hindering relative movement between them.

The attachment means in accordance with the invention is moreparticularly suitable for all wall and ceiling coverings which arespaced from the underlying or overlying building structure.

The present invention comprises a device for attaching slabs of ceramicmaterial on a building structure comprising anchoring strips ofT-section adapted for fixation to the building structure along lines tobe overlain by the edges of the slabs, and T-section holding stripsarranged to overlap the edges of the slabs to hold them in position andwhich extend between the edges of the slabs connect with the anchoringstrips by to one of the strips fitting into the other so that theholding strips are held in position.

Preferably the anchoring strips are not directly attached to thebuilding structure but on the web of a U- section girder or U-shapedcleat, whose limbs are connected with the limbs of a mounting cleat orgirder of U-shaped section whose web or cross-piece is attached to thebuilding structure.

The anchoring strips are preferably of folded sheet metal and arehollow.

A part of each holding strip is adapted to fit into the opening betweenjaw or cheek pieces of the anchoring strips. These male and female partscan be rounded in order to allow detachment of the holding strips fromthe anchoring strips more easily, though they can also be angular insection so that the gripping force is greater.

The holding strips can be made with wing-like flange portions so as topresent a pleasing beading effect.

In accordance with a further development of the invention a L-sectionstrip is provided for covering the free edges of the slabs of ceramicmaterial, its upper edge being bent inwards in accordance with theconstruction of the holding strips.

DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the inventionare now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a wall cladding structure held in place along a wall of abuilding in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. la shows a wall cladding structure held in place at the corner of abuilding in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2a is a cross-section through an anchoring strip used to hold thewall cladding structure in place along a wall of a building.

FIG. 2b shows a holding strip in cross-section to be used with theanchoring strip illustrated in FIG. 2a to hold the wall claddingstructure in place along a wall of a building.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a anchoring strip and a holding strip in accordancewith a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows an edge strip in cross-section used to hold the wallcladding structure in place at a corner of the wall of a building.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and la numerals I, ladenote a building structure which is to be clad by ceramic slabs asindicated by reference numeral 2. I

On the building structure 1, la generally U-shaped first mounting cleats3 are attached whose limbs 21 are connected with the limbs 22 of similarsecond cleats 4. As is shown in FIG. 1, each of these cleats 4 carriesan anchoring strip 5 which is shown in detail in FIGS. 2a and 3a in twoembodiments and will be described presently in more detail in connectionwith these figures.

Each strip Shave T-shaped anchoring jaws or cheek pieces formed in itsstern portion constituting a female connecting part into which a holdingstrip 6 is inserted which is of a generally T-shaped cross-section andhas ends or arms 15, 16 which form wing-like flanges to engage the edgeportions of ceramic slabs 2 or tiles to hold them in place.

Reference numeral 7 denotes filling or insulating slabs. In the righthand half of FIG. 1a the fixation at an arris, that is to say at the endof a series of slabs 2 is shown. At the arris a generally L-shaped edgestrip 8 is attached which has a flange or limb 9 attached to a holdingstrip 10 which, like the holding anchoring strip 5, is mounted on thecleat 4. The outer edge of the edge trip 8 is bent round forming an arm17 as is the case with the holding strips 6.

If necessary, distance pieces 11 can be provided between the filling 7and the slabs 2.

The embodiment of the anchoring and holding strips shown in FIG. 1corresponds with the embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 2a and 2b.

In accordance with this embodiment the generally T- shaped anchoringstrip 5 is made of folded sheet metal having a mounted flange 20 andends 12 and 13 in its stem portion broadened out to form an opening intowhich a suitably rounded part 14 on the holding strip 6 extends. Theends or arms 15 and 16 of the generally T- shaped holding strip 6 arealso rounded.

There is a rounded shaped arm of edge strip 8 in accordance with FIG. 4,as denoted by reference numeral 17 which is adapted to engage the endportions of the ceramic slabs or tiles 2 to hold them in place.

in the case of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3a and 3bthe anchoring strip is also made of folded sheet metal. The check piecesare, how ever, not of rounded shape as in the embodiment shown in FIG.2a but are angles as indicated by reference numeral 18. The angularconstruction 19 is also employed in the case of the holding strip 6'.In-this case the holding strip 6 is held more securely in the anchoringstrip 5' than is the case with the construction of the holding strip 6and anchoring strip 5 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

The attachment means in accordance with the invention can be very easilyapplied. It is firstnecessary to attach the cleats 3 on the buildingstructure 1, 1a using, for instance, conventional mechanical attachmentand connecting means as for example plugged holes, screws, and rivets.If suitable it is also possible to use an appropriate adhesive or mortarconnection. After attaching cleat 3 to the building structure 1, 1a thecleat 4 is positioned relative to the cleat 3 so that the limbs 21 ofcleat '3 are in slidable juxtaposition with the limbs 22 of cleat 3. Thecleat 4 can be moved relative to cleat 3providing adjustability of thecleat 4 in both a plane of the cladding and in a plane perpendicular tothe cladding, thus making it a simple matter to allow for all unevenessin the building structure 1, 1a, and to provide adequate space betweenthe building structure and the slabs or tiles for any insulation orfilling material that may be used. Cleat 4 is then attached to cleat 3by welding screwing, bolting, riveting or any other means in accordancewith the nature of the material from which the cleats are fabricated,the limbs 21 to the limbs 22. The anchoring strips 5 are attached to thecleats 4 aligned in the plane of the cladding to be produced. The samemeans can be used for attaching the anchoring strips 5 to the cleats 4as used to attach the cleats 3 and 4 together. The anchoring strips 5are arranged with the appropriate center distances having regard to thesize of the tiles. Changes can be made in the anchoring spacing of thestrips 5 as required within a certain tolerance range. The anchoringstrips 5 are cut if required to have the desired lengths.,After placingthe tiles in position it is now only necessary to press the holdingstrips 6 in position in the manner of press studs. The generallyL-shaped holding strip and the gen'erally L-shaped edge strip 8 are usedin place of the anchor strip 5 and holding strip 6, respectfully, at theedge of the building structure to be clad, as for example at the top,bottom, or vertical edge of the building structure. The holding strip 10may be affixed to the cleat 4 in the same manner as anchoring strip 5 isaffixed to cleat 4, that is by any means appropriate to the materialfrom which the holding strip 10 and cleat 4 are made, -fo,r example bywelding, bolting, screwing or riveting. The ,,edge strip 8 is thenoriented with the building structure such that the arm 17 of the edgestrip 8 overlapsthe surface of the building structure to be clad andvthe, limb 9 of the edge strip 8 is oriented to be adjacentthe holdingstrip 10. The limb 9 of the edge strip. 8 is affixed to the holdingstrip 10 in a manner similar to that used to affix anchoring strip 5 tocleat 4. The edge strips 8 are preferably applied at an earlier stage sothat the laying off the tiles or slabs 2 can be begun at an edge strip 8placed along the bottom side,

' the top or a vertical edge of a corner of the structure to be clad andthe operation is finished by pressing the holding strips 6 into theanchoring strips 5 so as to attach the tiles or slabs 2 to the structure1, la. It is naturally possible to dispense with the cleats 3 and 4 ifit is desired to fix the slabs or tiles 2 directly to the buildingstructure 1, la In this case the flanges 20 of the anchoring strips 5are fixed directly on the building structure 1.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 using tiles or slabs 2on the building structure not only provides a suitable air space betweenthe rear face of the tiles or slabs and the surface of the buildingstructure, but also allows for the provision of an additional insulatinglayer. Insulation material may be used in the space betweenthe buildingstructure and the cladding. The procedure for installing the cleats,anchoring strips, tiles or slabs and the'holding strips remains asdescribed above, however, the methods of installing the insulation willvary depending on the type of insulation used. If an insulating materialthat is used is in the form of a solid slab, or mat, as for example awoven fiberglas, then it must be cut to fit around the cleats, endstrips, holding strip, and anchoring strips as the cladding is beingerected. If it is a loose insulation, such as for example a granulatedstyrofoam, then it may be poured into the space between the buildingstructure and the cladding after the cladding is erected. The type ofinsulation andmethod of installing the same is not part of the presentinvention, as almost any type may be used, and the installationprocedure for installing the insula tion will vary with the type used.

A particularly advantageous feature of the arrangement in accordancewith the invention is that it is very adaptable and by mutuallyofisetting of the cleats 3 and 4 allows for the distance between thestrips 6 and the building structure proper to be varied. For thispurpose means for attaching cleat 3 to cleat 4 are preferably comprisedof slotted openings in the limbs 21, 22, which slots are oriented to besubstantially perpendicular to the face of the building structure whenthe cleat is placed against the structure. Conventional fasteners may beused, such as nuts and bolts, to fasten the cleat 3 to cleat 4 throughthe slotted openings in their limbs 20, 21. The cleat 4 may then bedisplaced relative to cleat 3 in a direction perpendicular to the faceof the building structure after the fastener is installed in position inthe slotted openings in the limbs of the cleats. It can be seen in thecase of the embodiment shown that individual slabs or tiles 2 can bereplaced as may be required. I

The cleats 3 and 4 may be of any length desired, the length, to anextent, depending upon the esthetic effect desired in the cladding. Forexample, if it is desiredto have the seams between adjacent slabs ofceramic material staggered the cleats may be of the same length, orshorter than the width of the slabs of ceramic material. If it isdesired to have the seams between adjacent ceramic material in line witheach other the cleats may be as long as the surface of the buildingstructure to be clad. Other factors which may have an effect on thelength of the cleats are the capacity of the equipment to produce them,and the capacity of the equipment and men used to install it on abuilding structure.

What we claim is:

1. A device for attaching slabs of ceramic material on a buildingstructure defining a space between said building structure and saidslabs suitable for the installation therein of an insulating filling,which comprises:

at least one generally U-shaped first cleat having two limbs, said cleatbeing secured to a surface of said building structure such that saidlimbs extend in a generally perpendicular direction away from saidsurface of said building structure;

at least one generally U-shaped second cleat having two limbs, saidsecond cleat being positioned relative to said first cleat such thatsaid limbs of said second cleat extend in a generally perpendiculardirection toward said surface of said building structure, and are inslidable juxtaposition with said limbs forming said first cleat;

means to fasten said first U-shaped cleat to said second U-shaped cleat;at least one generally T-shaped anchoring strip having a stem portionand two arms disposed perpendicular to said stem portion, said anchoringstrip being secured to a surface of said second cleat most remote fromthe surface of said building structure such that said stem portion isdisposed in a generally perpendicular direction away from said surfaceof said building structure;

at least one generally T-shaped holding strip having a stem portionwhich engages said stem portion of said anchoring strip, and having twoarms perpendicular to said stem portion which are oriented in a planegenerally parallel with said surface of said building structure whensaid stem of said holding strip is engaged in said stem portion of saidanchoring strip,- said arms each engaging an end portion of one of saidslabs to be attached to said building structure exerting a force on saidslabs in a direction toward the surface of said building structure tohold them in place thereon;

at least one generally L-shaped holding strip having two legs, one legto be affixed to at least one of said U-shaped cleats; and

at least one generally L-shaped edge strip having two 2., A device asdefined in claim 1, further characterized in that:

said generally T-shaped anchoring strip has jaws formed in said stemportion; and

said generally T-shaped holding strip has a form in said stem portionwhich is inserted in, and engaged by said jaws said stem of saidT-shaped anchoring strip to affix said holding strip to said anchoringstrip.

1. A device for attaching slabs of ceramic material on a buildingstructure defining a space between said building structure and saidslabs suitable for the installation therein of an insulating filling,which comprises: at least one generally U-shaped first cleat having twolimbs, said cleat being secured to a surface of said building structuresuch that said limbs extend in a generally perpendicular direction awayfrom said surface of said building structure; at least one generallyU-shaped second cleat having two limbs, said second cleat beingpositioned relative to said first cleat such that said limbs of saidsecond cleat extend in a generally perpendicular direction toward saidsurface of said building structure, and are in slidable juxtapositionwith said limbs forming said first cleat; means to fasten said firstU-shaped cleat to said second Ushaped cleat; at least one generallyT-shaped anchoring strip having a stem portion and two arms disposedperpendicular to said stem portion, said anchoring strip being securedto a surface of said second cleat most remote from the surface of saidbuilding structure such that said stem portion is disposed in agenerally perpendicular direction away from said surface of saidbuilding structure; at least one generally T-shaped holding strip havinga stem portion which engages said stem portion of said anchoring strip,and having two arms perpendicular to said stem portion which areoriented in a plane generally parallel with said surface of saidbuilding structure when said stem of said holding strip is engaged insaid stem portion of said anchoring strip, said arms each engaging anend portion of one of said slabs to be attached to said buildingstructure exerting a force on said slabs in a direction toward thesurface of said building structure to hold them in place thereon; atleast one generally L-shaped holding strip having two legs, one leg tobe affixed to at least one of said U-shaped cleats; and at least onegenerally L-shaped edge strip having two legs, one leg of which is aflange to be affixed to said second cleat and the other of said legshaving a rounded arm to engage an end portion of said slabs to beattached to said building structure exerting a force on said slabs in adirection toward the surface of said building structure to hold them inplace thereon, said generally L-shaped holding strip and said generallyL-shaped edge strip being used to affix such slabs to said buildingstructure at a corner thereof.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1,further characterized in that: said generally T-shaped anchoring striphas jaws formed in said stem portion; and said generally T-shapedholding strip has a form in said stem portion which is inserted in, andengaged by said jaws said stem of said T-shaped anchoring strip to affixsaid holding strip to said anchoring strip.